As the newlywed, Israel Aduragbemi Lawal and Tobiloba Chidinma Achudume, daughter of the Lead Pastor of the Victory Life Bible Church, Apostle Lawrence Achudume continue to savour the joy of their union which was consummated at the Headquarters of the Victory Life Bible Church International, Abeokuta on Saturday, the groom says theirs was a relationship that started from friendship to forever.
According to Israel, what began as a simple friendship blossomed into a marriage that “can only be the hand of God.”
Israel Aduragbemi Lawal while speaking in an interview with newsmen shortly after the solemnisation admitted that he never saw the romance coming.
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“We were just friends, I didn’t see this coming, but she is my woman today,” he told guests, describing his bride, Oluwatobiloba Chidinma Achudume, as “intelligent, accommodating, beautiful and spiritual.
Tobiloba, daughter of Apostle Lawrence who shared her father’s joyful spirit, echoed similar sentiment: “We started out as friends, but one unique thing about our relationship is the way it transitioned from friendship into relationship and then now marriage.”
Their love story, marked by shared laughter and a deep spiritual bond, was celebrated had the atmosphere charged with the conviction that God had already confirmed their union before they even met.
Also speaking on the glorious union, father of the bride, Apostle Lawrence Achudume declared; " So many people came but then before Israel came, we got confirmation from God so when he came, it was just a confirmation of what we have received earlier on".
He said the groom is a free spirited, jovial man and someone who smiles a lot. " So, it feels like I am giving my daughter out to a mini me, because if you know Lawrence Achudume, you will know I smile a lot. So, he is just like me".
The ceremony, officiated by Bishop Taiwo Adelakun of Victory International, drew a cross‑section of Nigeria’s spiritual and political elite, underscoring the national relevance of the occasion.
Bishop Adelakun’s message emphasized shared prayer, eating, sleeping, playing, serving God, and disciplining children together as the pillars of a lasting marriage.
Earlier, the Presiding Bishop of Victory International, Ibadan, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun, has called on newlyweds and all couples to make shared prayer the cornerstone of their homes, saying such a practice would fortify families and, by extension, the nation.
According to Bishop Adelakun, when two hearts pray together they align not only with each other but also with a higher purpose, thereby laying a foundation for a marriage that can weather life’s storms and contribute to nation‑building.
Beyond prayer, the Bishop also advised couples to eat, sleep, play, serve God, talk and discipline their children together, warning that many homes suffer today because partners have lost the virtue of doing things together.
He emphacised that when households pray, eat and work together, they build resilience, reduce conflict and increase civic engagement, factors that translate into lower crime rates, higher educational outcomes and stronger community solidarity.
“If every home embraces the value of togetherness, Nigeria will see a wave of social cohesion, economic growth and moral leadership that reverberates from the living room to the highest office in the land,” he said.
The man of God urged the couple to voice hopes, fears and gratitude before God, emphasizing that humility, empathy and shared responsibility cultivated through prayer nurture trust, open communication and a commitment to place the relationship above individual ego—elements he described as essential for a “glorious” marital life.
The ceremony was attended by a host of revered clergy, including Bishop Oludaisi Adekunle of the Egba Diocese, Bishop Reuben Oke of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission, TREM, Bishop Tom Samson of Christ International Church Worldwide, Bishop Felix Adejumo of Agape Christian Ministry Worldwide, Bishop Olubummi Banwo of the Bible Society of Nigeria, and Rt. Rev. Dr. F. I. Omobude, who is former National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and was represented by his wife.
Also present were Arch‑Bishop Joseph Ojo of Calvary Church of Christ, Engineer Gideon Ikede, Architect Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Venerable D. A. Aina of Christ Church, Rev. Jide Orire, Bishop Kayode Odulaja of Prevailing Word Bible Church, and Rev. Dr. Femi Adesina of Mercy Faith and Miracle Church.
On the political front is Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State who was represented by the Secretary to p the Ogun State Governor, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi and his Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, former President Olusegun Obasanjo who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Bola Obasanjo; former Akwa Ibom Governor Dr. Udom Emmanuel; former Ogun CommissionerAmbassador Folake Marcus‑Bello; Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State Honourable Adijat Adeleye; and the Governor of Plateau State, represented by Hon. Caleb.
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